Print Report
CEGL000319 Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Menziesia ferruginea Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce / Rusty Menziesia Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is a moist, higher elevation forest. It occurs in northern Idaho and much of the western third of Montana, northwestern Wyoming, and stretches into northeastern Washington and Oregon. It has been documented to occur in Alberta and British Columbia as well. Menziesia ferruginea distribution in the northern Rockies coincides with areas having maritime influence. It occurs on gentle and steep slopes, generally on the upper third of the slope, or on gentle benches where moisture is retained throughout the summer. In the southern and lower elevational limits of its range it is limited to north-facing, sheltered pockets. Elevational range is 1190 to 2500 m (3900-8200 feet). Soils are generally acidic, often silty to loamy, with high gravel content. Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii are the dominant overstory species. Pinus contorta, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinus albicaulis, Tsuga heterophylla, Tsuga mertensiana, and Larix occidentalis can be present in the over and under canopies as well. Menziesia ferruginea forms a dense shrub layer, usually between 1.2 and 1.8 m (4-6 feet) tall but can be shorter due to snow damage. Shorter shrubs often present include Vaccinium scoparium and Vaccinium membranaceum. Arnica cordifolia (or Arnica latifolia) and Orthilia secunda are nearly always present in the sparse herbaceous layer. Xerophyllum tenax may be present but never more than 5%. This association is distinguished from other Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Menziesia ferruginea types [see Similar Associations] by the lack of certain indicator species or their cover is less than 5% (for example, Clintonia uniflora, Streptopus amplexifolius, Luzula glabrata var. hitchcockii, or Xerophyllum tenax).
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii are the dominant overstory species. Pinus contorta, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinus albicaulis, Tsuga heterophylla, Tsuga mertensiana, and Larix occidentalis can be present in the over and under canopies as well. Menziesia ferruginea forms a dense shrub layer, usually between 1.2 and 1.8 m (4-6 feet) tall but can be shorter due to snow damage. Shorter shrubs often present include Vaccinium scoparium and Vaccinium membranaceum. Other shrubs that may be present, depending on geographic location, include Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata (= Alnus sinuata), Rhododendron albiflorum, Sorbus scopulina, Ribes spp., and Lonicera utahensis. Arnica cordifolia or Arnica latifolia and Orthilia secunda (= Pyrola secunda) are nearly always present in the sparse herbaceous layer. Goodyera oblongifolia is often present. Xerophyllum tenax may be present but never more than 5%. This association is distinguished from other Abies lasiocarpa - Picea engelmannii / Menziesia ferruginea types [see Similar Associations] by the lack of certain indicator species or their cover is less than 5% (for example, Clintonia uniflora, Streptopus amplexifolius, Luzula glabrata var. hitchcockii (= Luzula hitchcockii), or Xerophyllum tenax).
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Menziesia ferruginea distribution in the northern Rockies coincides with areas having maritime influence. It occurs on gentle and steep slopes, generally on the upper third of the slope, or on gentle benches where moisture is retained throughout the summer. In the southern and lower elevational limits of its range it is limited to north-facing aspects. Elevational range is 1190 to 2500 m (3900-8200 feet). Soils are generally acidic, often silty to loamy, with high gravel content.
Geographic Range: It occurs in northern Idaho and much of the western third of Montana, northwestern Wyoming, and stretches into northeastern Washington and Oregon. It has been documented to occur in Alberta and British Columbia as well.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AB, BC, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686742
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G5
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 1 Forest & Woodland Class | C01 | 1 |
| Subclass | 1.B Temperate & Boreal Forest & Woodland Subclass | S15 | 1.B |
| Formation | 1.B.2 Cool Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation | F008 | 1.B.2 |
| Division | 1.B.2.Nb Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Division | D194 | 1.B.2.Nb |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.2.Nb.5 Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce - Whitebark Pine Rocky Mountain Forest Macrogroup | M020 | 1.B.2.Nb.5 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nb.5.c Engelmann Spruce - Subalpine Fir - Mountain Hemlock Moist Forest & Woodland Group | G218 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.c |
| Alliance | A3614 Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce Rocky Mountain Moist Forest Alliance | A3614 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.c |
| Association | CEGL000319 Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce / Rusty Menziesia Forest | CEGL000319 | 1.B.2.Nb.5.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Abies lasiocarpa / Menziesia ferruginea Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1983) [(p.47) includes stands dominated by Picea engelmannii, Pseudotsuga menziesii, or Pinus contorta with Abies lasiocarpa in the understory.]
< Abies lasiocarpa / Menziesia ferruginea Habitat Type (Cooper et al. 1987) [(p.52)]
< Abies lasiocarpa / Menziesia ferruginea Habitat Type (Daubenmire and Daubenmire 1968) [(p.44)]
< Abies lasiocarpa / Menziesia ferruginea Habitat Type (Pfister et al. 1977) [(p.92)]
< Abies lasiocarpa / Menziesia ferruginea Plant Association (Johnson and Simon 1987) [(p.238) includes stands dominated by Pinus contorta with some Abies lasiocarpa in the understory.]
< Abies lasiocarpa / Menziesia ferruginea Habitat Type (Cooper et al. 1987) [(p.52)]
< Abies lasiocarpa / Menziesia ferruginea Habitat Type (Daubenmire and Daubenmire 1968) [(p.44)]
< Abies lasiocarpa / Menziesia ferruginea Habitat Type (Pfister et al. 1977) [(p.92)]
< Abies lasiocarpa / Menziesia ferruginea Plant Association (Johnson and Simon 1987) [(p.238) includes stands dominated by Pinus contorta with some Abies lasiocarpa in the understory.]
- ANHIC [Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre]. 2018. Community database files. Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre, Parks and Protected Areas Division, Alberta Community Development, Edmonton.
- Bourgeron, P. S., and L. D. Engelking, editors. 1994. A preliminary vegetation classification of the western United States. Unpublished report. The Nature Conservancy, Western Heritage Task Force, Boulder, CO. 175 pp. plus appendix.
- Cogan, D., K. Varga, and G. Kittel. 2005. USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program: Grand Teton National Park and John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway. Final Project Report 2002-2005 Vegetation Mapping Project. Technical Memorandum 8260-06-02. USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, CO. 87 pp. plus Appendixes A-F.
- Cooper, S. V., K. E. Neiman, R. Steele, and D. W. Roberts. 1987. Forest habitat types of northern Idaho: A second approximation. General Technical Report INT-236.USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, Ogden, UT. 135 pp. [reprinted in 1991]
- Daubenmire, R. F., and J. B. Daubenmire. 1968. Forest vegetation of eastern Washington and northern Idaho. Washington State University Agricultural Experiment Station Technical Bulletin No. 60. 104 pp.
- Diaz, N. M., C. T. High, T. K. Mellen, D. E. Smith, and C. Topik. 1997. Plant association and management guide for the mountain hemlock zone. Gifford Pinchot and Mt. Hood National Forests. Technical Report R6-MTH-GP-TP-08-95. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 111 pp.
- Johnson, C. G., Jr., and S. A. Simon. 1987. Plant associations of the Wallowa-Snake Province Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Technical Paper R6-ECOL-TP-255A-86. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. 399 pp. plus appendices.
- Kagan, J. S., J. A. Christy, M. P. Murray, and J. A. Titus. 2004. Classification of native vegetation of Oregon. January 2004. Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center, Portland. 52 pp.
- MTNHP [Montana Natural Heritage Program]. 2002b. List of ecological communities for Montana. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Montana State Library, Helena, MT.
- Pfister, R. D., B. L. Kovalchik, S. F. Arno, and R. C. Presby. 1977. Forest habitat types of Montana. General Technical Report INT-34. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT. 174 pp.
- Steele, R., R. D. Pfister, R. A. Ryker, and J. A. Kittams. 1981. Forest habitat types of central Idaho. General Technical Report INT-114. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT. 138 pp.
- Steele, R., S. V. Cooper, D. M. Ondov, D. W. Roberts, and R. D. Pfister. 1983. Forest habitat types of eastern Idaho - western Wyoming. General Technical Report INT-144. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT. 122 pp.
- WNDD [Wyoming Natural Diversity Database]. No date. Unpublished data on file. Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY.
- WNHP [Washington Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data files. Washington Natural Heritage Program, Department of Natural Resources, Olympia, WA.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.